By Abdullahi Lukman
The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring disability-inclusive access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in Nigeria through its \$700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
This was highlighted during a roundtable discussion held in Abuja on May 2, 2025, which brought together stakeholders from civil society, disability groups, and sector representatives.
The session aimed to assess the progress of the SURWASH programme and identify solutions to enhance its inclusive implementation.
Ms. Awa Diagne, the World Bank’s Task Team Lead for SURWASH, emphasized that the programme is designed not only as a one-time intervention but as a long-term platform to strengthen national systems for WASH services, with a focus on inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
“SURWASH is about building national delivery systems that ensure WASH services reach everyone, particularly people with disabilities,” Diagne stated. She explained that the programme integrates disability inclusion into its financing model and supports the development of policies that prioritize accessibility from the beginning of planning.
Diagne also stressed the need for inclusive design to go beyond physical infrastructure. “It’s not just about adding ramps and handrails.
Accessibility must address all types of disabilities, including mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive,” she said, urging stakeholders to engage persons with disabilities meaningfully from the outset of projects.
Cindy Ikeaka, Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted the challenges faced by over 25 million Nigerians living with disabilities, especially when it comes to accessing essential services.
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“In many cases, children with disabilities cannot attend school because the buildings are not accessible,” Ikeaka explained.
She further emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, which was passed in 2019 but still lacks consistent implementation across states.
Ikeaka also pointed to other inclusive efforts by the World Bank, such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), which focuses on inclusive education for girls with disabilities.
“Engaging those directly affected by accessibility barriers is crucial to achieving true inclusion,” she said.
Mr. Abdulhamid Gwaram, National Programme Coordinator for SURWASH, reiterated that disability inclusion in Nigeria’s WASH sector is both a development priority and a legal obligation. He noted that despite improvements, many persons with disabilities still struggle to access water and sanitation services due to inadequate infrastructure design.
“Disability inclusion is not just a moral imperative, it’s enshrined in Nigerian law,” Gwaram said, urging local governments and state implementers to take action and decentralize the initiative for greater impact.
Mr. Tony Agwuna, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, called for better data collection and analysis to ensure that the experiences of people with disabilities are considered in WASH programming. He recommended that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) institutionalize disability inclusion in their programs.
The SURWASH programme, which is currently being implemented in seven Nigerian states—Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, and Katsina—aims to address gaps in WASH infrastructure and policy, ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in national service delivery efforts.
In closing, the discussions highlighted that disability-inclusive WASH services are not only a human rights issue but essential for achieving sustainable development and meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
